Financial Tips From the Pros

All professional accountants and professional financial advisors know the best ways to help people save for retirement because usually it’s a large part of their job. Many people pay for the privilege of their advice, and as you get older, you may want personalized help as well. To get started on the path to financial security after you’re done making money, follow these tips:

• Diversify your portfolio. As you work at your job for the years to come, make sure that you putting your money in smart places. The wise investor has assets in many different areas—the stock market, land, commodities, etc. Don’t put all of your retirement funds in one basket.

• Factor in all potential expenses into your financial plan. When you start to create your retirement plan, remember that big expenses can be lurking where you’re not expecting them. Plan for medical and dental costs, long-term care, and income taxes in addition to your normal expenses. If you factor these expenses in early, they will hurt your plan less in the future.

• Plan a budget and stick to it. Planning for the future is fine and dandy, but if you don’t plan a smart budget, you will find it difficult to stick with the plan you spent all that time and money plotting. Avoid taking out high-interest loans to pay your living expenses by budgeting.

These are few planning exercises you can do to get you started saving for retirement. Gary Kapanowski, an experienced accountant living in Michigan, stands by all of these tips for individuals of all ages.